This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
